Studying in Canterbury offers a lot of opportunity, and it's a beautiful city to be in. Canterbury Christ Church University offers an enriching and diverse student experience. 

The next step is to make sure you know the cost of your course and the different options available for funding your studies.

As an international student, you can either:

  • pay your course fees yourself
  • have your parents pay
  • have a sponsor (usually an employer or government) pay for you.

You may also qualify for a scholarship or bursary. Remember to check the eligibility criteria for each. 

  • Fee status criteria is set by the UK government.
  • We use this status and your application information when assessing your fee status.

You can find out more information on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

Tuition fees 

The cost of your course can be found on your chosen course page under 'Fees', including additional course costs.

Living costs 

Living costs can include (this is not an exhaustive list):

  • rent and bills 
  • food
  • social life
  • transport
  • childcare etc.

You need to work out how much you'll need for your living costs, and how you will fund this.

Additional costs 

Additional costs can include (but aren't limited to):

  • course textbooks
  • specific costs for your course - you will find this under your course page under 'Fees'.

We try to make sure that you won't have many additional costs. However, you should check to see what you might need for your course. This can be found on the course page

Advice for parents

  • Tuition fees are due on the first day of the academic year.
  • You, your child, or a sponsor must pay in full or have an arrangement to pay before commencing study at the University.
  • If your child is a Tier 4 international student, they must pay a deposit before they start the first year of their course. Information about the deposit and when it needs to be paid will be included in their offer letter.
  • If your child’s fees are paid in full before starting the course, they may be eligible for a discount.
  • As a parent you are not regarded as a sponsor, but you may pay tuition fees to the University with your child’s agreement. 

Direct payment

For students who are starting their course in September, payments can be made by one of the following options: 

  • payment in full 
  • payment in two equal instalments at the end of September (50%) and end of January (50%). For students on a Tier 4 visa who have paid a deposit: you will have to pay in these equal instalments. 

If you are starting your course in a month other than September, then the above payment dates will be different to the above.

The University accepts payment via the Convera payment platform (formerly known as Western Union).  Payments via Convera can be made by bank transfer or credit card as part of the University’s online registration process. Convera offers you a simple, secure, and smart way to pay your fees online.

Payment plan via a sponsor 

A person or organisation can pay your fees for you. They are called a sponsor. 

If a sponsor is paying for your fees you must follow this process: 

  • Enter the sponsor details in the MySponsor section of your MyRecord portal.
  • Be sure to enter these details before starting University, or through the online registration process.
  • The University Fees team will then check the sponsor information and will let you know if they are able to approve the sponsor.
  • If the University Fees team need more information, they will contact you.
  • If your sponsor hasn't been accepted, the University Fees team will contact you. 

Please note: Any arrangement made between you and a sponsor to pay your tuition fees is an agreement between you and the sponsor. If your sponsor does not pay the tuition fees, you will be personally liable to pay the fees yourself.

The University will then invoice you directly and you will have to to either pay in full or set up a self-payment plan that is acceptable to the University at that stage in the academic year. 

Family members who pay for your tuition fees on your behalf

Family members are not regarded as sponsors but may pay tuition fees to the University with your agreement via the Convera payment platform.

Payments from family members are deemed to be payments made by the student and may be made on an instalment basis.

There is no direct contract or binding arrangement between the family member and the University. 

As an international student at CCCU, you're eligible for some scholarships and bursaries. Have a read about what you can apply for. Browse the scholarships and bursaries page for more awards. 

Sports Scholarship

We’re committed to developing sporting excellence and offer scholarships of up to £1500 a year in any sport. 

The University is recognised by Sport England’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) as a Dual Career Accredited Site. We give talented athletes extra academic flexibility, allowing talented athletes to balance their studies alongside a sporting schedule. 

Check to see if you're eligible by finding out more information on our scholarships and bursaries page. 

 

Chapel Choir Scholarship

Award

  • Choral Scholarship - £500 per year + tuition
  • Organ/Conducting Scholarship - £750 per year + tuition

Eligible criteria

  • Available to all Canterbury Christ Church University students

Useful information

  • Complete this application form by the beginning of October.
  • Auditions will be held in October.
  • Throughout each academic year, the Choir sings an Evensong every Thursday evening during term time, and several other services, including the Candlemas and Pentecost services in Canterbury Cathedral.

 

Instrumental/Vocal Scholarship

Award

  • One to one vocal or instrumental tuition
  • Up to ten hours' worth of tuition offered.

Eligible criteria

  • Available to all Canterbury Christ Church University students.

Useful information

  • Scholars are expected to perform in at least one University ensemble.
  • Applications are considered at the beginning of each semester.
  • Complete this application form at the beginning of October or January.

 

Sanctuary Scholarship – for those seeking asylum in the UK 

Canterbury Christ Church University works in partnership with The Archdeacon of Canterbury (Canterbury Cathedral) under the Article 26 Project to enable those seeking asylum to progress to higher education.

Successful applicants for the Sanctuary Scholarship at Canterbury Christ Church University will be provided with some financial support. 

Read more about the Sanctuary Scholarship to see if you meet the eligible criteria. 

Award

The International Student Scholarship includes:

  • fee discount of £1500 for international students starting an undergraduate or postgraduate course from September 2024.

Eligible criteria

  • You must have overseas student fee status.
  • The annual tuition fee of your course of study must be £15,500.

Useful information 

  • If you meet the criteria for the International Student Scholarship fee discount, £1500 will automatically be deducted from your tuition fees each year.

Budgeting 

It is important to think about how you are going to manage money whilst you study. Here are a few budgeting tips:

  • Look at what money you have coming in, and try to estimate how much you need to spend.
  • Create a reasonable budget and stick to it each month.
  • Keep track of your expenses to see where you could save money and not overspend.
  • Attend events for students - they're usually much cheaper!

The Money Saving Expert student budgeting planner is a great tool to help you plan your budget. 

Millions of people visit Canterbury every year. Our Canterbury Campus is at the heart of our beautiful city. 

Canterbury is close to London, which is just 40 minutes by train. It's also very easy to travel to Europe from the city.

CCCU has a close community so you won't have to worry about fitting in. People from all over the world come to study with us. Our campus is both friendly and welcoming.